Merchant Newsletter 3-27-26
What's in this newsletter? (Click to find out more details)
4th Street Reconstruction - March 30
Main Street American Spring Survey
Roundtable: March 30: 4th Monday of March
Gift Certificate Redemption Basics
Business Improvement Grant is a rolling opportunity
4th Street Reconstruction Meeting - March 30
North 4th Street Reconstruction Project – Public Meetings
On Monday, March 30, Lewisburg Borough will host two public meetings to present draft concept plans for the North 4th Street Reconstruction Project.
This is a continued discussion of the proposed installation of green infrastructure as part of the project. Community members are encouraged to attend, learn more, and provide feedback to help shape the final plan.
📍 Location: Borough Council Chambers, 55 South Fifth Street
🕒 Times: 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM
(Both meetings will cover the same information.)
Feedback gathered during these meetings, along with revised plans, will be presented to Borough Council at the public work session on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 PM.
These efforts are being funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement 4I-95325001-1 to the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Immigrant Community Support Information
Knowing Your Rights: Local Support for Our Community
A new volunteer group has formed to support local employers and immigrant families in our region.
The Snyder Union Northumberland Immigrant Community Support (SUN-ICS) network, organized in September, operates with this mission:
“We believe that all people have human and legal rights. In response to the dangers that ICE poses to immigrants and communities, we support our immigrant neighbors through assistance, advocacy, and public education.”
“Asylum-seekers and refugees, those with valid work permits, green cards, and proper visas, are all concerned about aggressive tactics by federal immigration agents,” said Janice Butler, a borough resident and member of the group’s coordinating committee. “Even those who have done everything right are fearful of detention and deportation, making it hard for families to feel safe in our community.”
Pennsylvania depends on hard-working immigrants across many industries—including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and health care—to support its economy. More than one million immigrants live in Pennsylvania (1 out of every 13 residents), filling approximately 10% of all jobs statewide.
In the Commonwealth:
- 26% of doctors
- 30% of software developers
- 24% of chefs
- 20% of Main Street business owners are foreign-born.
Immigrant household income in Pennsylvania totals $45.6 billion, according to the Economic Policy Institute—nearly all of which is reinvested into the state economy through consumer spending.
With an aging population and declining birth rate, Pennsylvania—especially rural areas—is facing a growing labor shortage. Law-abiding immigrants play an important role in working, paying taxes, filling essential jobs, creating new businesses, and contributing to the culture and vitality of our small towns. Their presence helps support long-term systems like Medicare and Social Security.
How SUN-ICS Can Help
SUN-ICS offers resources for both businesses and families, including:
- “All Are Welcome” posters for storefronts
- “Know Your Rights” cards and workshops
- Short-term assistance for families in crisis (such as when a breadwinner is detained)
To request a poster, learn more, volunteer, or donate:
📞 Call or text: 570-490-4953
📧 Email: [email protected]
You can also follow updates on Facebook: SUN Immigrant Community Support
Main Street American Spring 2026 Small Business Survey
Share Your Voice: Spring 2026 Small Business Survey
Main Street America is inviting small business owners to participate in their Spring 2026 Small Business Survey.
This short survey helps gather real feedback from business owners to shape future programs, resources, and support for Main Streets across the country.
If you own or operate a small business, your insight truly matters—and helps ensure that national initiatives reflect the needs of local communities like ours.
👉 Take the survey here:
Thank you for taking a few minutes to contribute your perspective and support small businesses nationwide.
March 30 - Business Roundtable
Key Takeaways
- The Business Improvement Grant (BIG) is now underway, with up to $5,000 available for eligible brick-and-mortar businesses making interior or operational improvements.
LDP shared updates on downtown events and activation, including the Ice Festival, Summer Festival, and Miracle on Market Street.
Participants discussed the need for a more consistent and attractive holiday lighting strategy downtown.
- Bucknell SBDC resources remain available for workshops, consulting, and student project support.
Business Roundtable 4th Monday EVERY Month
- Foster relationships with property owners
- Promote, review, & assist in the administration of LDP Business Improvement Grants
- Consumer and market data collection and analysis
- Share operational insights and challenges among merchants
- Rebuild a consistent action-oriented dialogue among business owners
- Make measurable progress on projects impacting businesses
- Strengthen relationships between businesses and LDP leadership
- Colby Kaufman, Board President, business owner
- Steve Stumbris, LDP Board, Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- LDP Staff Representative (to be designated)
- Borough Council Representative (LDP Board liaison, and/or Shannon Berkey)
- Others TBD
Redeem Your Downtown Gift Certificates
Gift Certificates = CASH
Getting reimbursed for gift certificates is easy!
Checks can be dropped off at your location within 24 hours during the regular workweek (Monday–Friday, approximately 9 AM–5 PM). Just email Alex:
Reimbursement Basics
• Merchants may request a check for up to $500 in collected certificates at a time
• Gift certificates never expire
Before Accepting a Certificate
Please take a quick moment to confirm it’s legitimate:
• LDP logo sticker on the corner
• A visible serial number
• Original print quality (not photocopied)
If something feels off, trust your instincts — you’re always welcome to pause and call us to confirm before accepting it.
Turning Them In
Walk-In Options — No Appointment Necessary
📍 328 Market Street
🕙 Tuesday–Friday | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (NOON)
If the door appears locked, call the number posted — we’re often nearby.
(If the handle pushes down, it’s unlocked — it may just need a firm push.)
Need a special time? Simply call to schedule an appointment.
We’re here to make this easy.
If you’ve got certificates sitting in a drawer, turn them into cash and back into your business. 💼✨
Business Improvement Grant Program – ARE YOU INTERESTED?
Grant Details
· Maximum Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 per project
· Match Requirement: 25% of the project cost (e.g., a $5,000 grant requires a $1,665 match from the applicant)
· Eligible Applicants: Established downtown Lewisburg businesses (in business under the same owner or manager for three years or more)
Eligible Improvements to Enhance Your Business
· Interior/Structural Upgrades: Flooring, lighting, ADA compliance, or layout changes to improve functionality.
· Technology Enhancements: New point-of-sale systems, inventory management, or other technology to improve efficiency.
· Professional Marketing and Signage: Business signage, website design, digital advertising, and branding initiatives.
· And more! If you have a project or idea, please reach out to discuss the possibilities.
Why Consider Applying?
· Boost Your Business: Improve operations, attract more customers, and increase revenue.
· Modernize and Grow: Enhance technology, improve your space, and create a better experience for customers.
· Strengthen the Downtown Community: Your improvements contribute to a thriving downtown that benefits everyone.
· Showcase Your Brand: Stand out with better signage, marketing, and an updated online presence.
Interested? Download the application here or go to this link which leads to the LDP website at www.lewisburgpa.com Grants page. You can get more details and download the application.
Fill it out online and email a copy or drop off a printed copy at the LDP office, 328 Market Street. If you have questions, call us at 570-523-1743.
Business Lunch/Learn 2nd Wed EVERY month
Looking for smart ways to grow your business or streamline what’s already working?
Join us next Wednesday, April 8th at noon, for our monthly Business Innovation Lunch & Learn — where practical strategy meets real-world small business in the heart of downtown Lewisburg.
This month includes:
• Resources available through SBDC student consultants
• An introduction to the Bucknell SBDC’s newest consulting team member, Alisha Mack
• Time to connect with fellow business owners navigating similar challenges
Whether you’re refining operations, exploring new growth ideas, or simply staying sharp, this session is designed to give you actionable insight — not theory.
📍 In person at StartUp Lewisburg
416 Market Street (2nd Floor)
Held the second Wednesday of every month
Bring your lunch. Bring your questions.
Leave with useful information.
Upcoming Events
10/10 Fall Festival
10/24 Mask-arade
10/31 Halloween falls on Saturday
11/28 Shop Small Saturday
12/3 Tree Lighting
12/4 Late Night shopping
